Portable table.



STILES.

PORTABLE TABE APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 12

Patented Am,

I nuowfo z/ is @9652 Ed KKMM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ENOS STILES, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA.

PORTABLE TABLE.

sembled to form a suitcase-like structure;

whereby all of the elements of the table are easily portable. 1

vAn important object of this invention is to provide a portable table of the above mentioned characitendesigned when properly as sembled, to support a man, and being strong and light.

A further ob'ject of this invention is to provide novel means for detachably connecting the table legs with the table tops.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and simple means for detachably holding the tops or body portions of the tables in engagement with each other when the device is converted into a suitcase-like structure.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same. Figure 1 is a 'ierspective view of the device as converted into a suitcase-like strupture, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same in its table form. Fig. 3 is bottom plan view of oneof the body por tions or tops of the table. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional 'view taken through one of the holding sockets and showing the upper end of the tubular leg therein. Fig. 5 is a central vertical transverse sectional View through the device in its suitcase form, showing the spring latch and hinge, and, Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the suction cups or caps and associated tubular leg.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the nuu'ieral .1 designates body portions, which form tie tops of the table sections 2 and 3 and the sides of the suitcase lille structure when the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Kay 13,

Patented Apr. 29, 1913. 1912. Serial No. 697,015.

device is converted into that form. The body portions 1 are preferably formed of sheet-metal, are preferably rectangular and are provided with laterally extending flanges at, as shown. The body portions 1 may preferably have their outer faces. covered with leather or the like and. other trimmings which resemble a suitcase. When the different arts are assembled to form a. suitcase, the anges 4 may be considered as upper and lower flanges and will be so referred to hereinafter. The lower longitudinal flange 4 of one of the body portions 1 is provided near its ends with elongated slots 5, for receiving curved tongues'6 formed-upon the corre: sponding longitudinal flange 4 of the other bodyport-ion 1, for forming a temporary hinge connection between the same. Secured'to the inner face of the upper longitudinal flange 4 of the body portion 1 which carries the tongues 6, is a spring catch 7, adapted to engage with a depending tongue 8 formed upon the corresponding upper longitudinal flange 4 of the other body por tion 1. The spring latch 7 is moved out of engagement with the tongue 8 by pressing on a reciprocatory pin 9. Connected with the upper longitudinal flange 4 adjacent the pin 9, is a handle 1.0, of any well known or preferred type. Disposed at the corners of each of the body portions 1 are tubular sockets 11, having their inner ends formed closed, as shown at 12, and their outer ends open. These sockets are rigidly connected with the body portion 1 by any suitable means, preferably by being welded there with. The sockets T1 may be disposed at slight angles with relation to the body portions 1, depending upon the inclination of the body portion. 7

Each table section 2 and 3 has four legs 13, which are tubular or square and have the H ends thereof which are inserted in the sockets 11, slightly tapered, as shown at 14.

As shown in Fig. 4-, the lower end of the therein.

h d together by the hinges and spring S latch, hen it desired to convertthe der e into a table, the pin 9 is depressed'which disengages the. latch 7 from they ton ue 8 and permits of the body portions 1 ing swung apart and separated. My table is formed in table-sections 2 and 3. The top 1 of the table-section 2 is horizontal, while the top 1 of the table section 3 is inclined, as shown in Fig. 2, to more conveniently support a man or patient. Each leg I3flwhen being inserted in the socket l1 hasyits cap or cup 15 placed in engagement with the/floor or otherwise compressed, thus partially expelling air from the tubular leg 13 as the tapered portion thereof is being inserted in the socket 11. The function of taperin the end 14 of the tubular leg is to allow 0 the passage of the air from the tubular leg in this manner. YVhen, however, the leg has been completely inserted in the socket, the free end portion of the socket snugly engages the leg and forms therewith an airtight connection. In this manner a vacuum is created in thele 13 which holds it in place within the socket so that the le will; not drop out when the table-section is eing moved about or elevated and subjected to jars. It is obvious that the leg 13 may be Withdrawn from the socket by proper force applied thereto.

It is to be understood that the form of my invent-ion herewith shown and described isto be takenas a preferred example of the same, and that certain changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting .from the spirit created within said tubular leg? of the invention or the scope ofthe subjomed claims. 1

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a device of the character described, a structure adapted to serve as a top of a table, asuitahle number of sockets disposed below and attached to said structure, a corresponding number of open ended tubular legs for insertion within-said sockets, and a corresponding nuinber of cup-shaped rubher suction elements having theirlower ends entirely'blosed and their upper ends open for receiving the lower open ends of the tubular legs, whereby a partial vacuum may be p for holding them within the sockets when t e suction elements are compressed.

2. In a device of the character described, a plurality of structures adaptedwhen assembled to form a suitcase structure and when separated to form table tops, a suitable number of tubular sockets having their inner ends closed: and their outer ends open and rigidly mounted within each of the structures, a corresponding number of open ended tubular legs having corresponding ends sli litly ta ered and adapted for insertion wit iin said tubular sockets, and a corresponding number of cup-shaped rubber suction elements having their lower ends entirely closed and their upper ends 0 en for receiving therein the ends of the tubu arlegs whereby a partial vacuum may he created within said tubular le s for holding them within the tubular socliets when sa d cupshaped rubber suction elements are compressed.

In test mony whereof Iafiix my signature in presence of two witnesses I v WILLIAM'ENOS STILES. Witnesses Anonzo BRYsoN,

A. BERGMAN. 

